MOBILE phones could one day be printed onto clothes, following a world-first breakthrough in laser technology by Melbourne researchers.

Monash University scientists also hope their nano-laser will also offer a new way of killing cancer cells without harming healthy tissue.

A team of researchers from Monash University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering has made the first “spaser”, a tiny laser made of carbon and graphene.

This type of nanotechnology, the engineering of electrical and computer systems to nanoscale — unseen to the naked eye — allows for smaller and more efficient technology.

PhD student and lead researcher Chanaka Rupasinghe said their discovery, published in the journal American Chemical Society, created a new type of “friendly”electronics.

“Other spasers are made of metals and silicon-like materials,” Mr Rupasinghe said.

“Using carbon gives it many advantages like being very strong, flexible and can withstand high temperatures. They could be sent to outer space.”

He said the discovery could lead to applications in the technology and medical industries.

“Because of these properties, there is the possibility that in the future an extremely thin mobile phone could be printed on clothing. You could make a screen on your clothing and it can take power from solar radiation,” he said.

“It will be very helpful in cancer treatment. Currently we do radiotherapy and chemotherapy from outside the body, and it damages your good cells and cancer cells.

“We can send those tiny lasers only to cancer cells, and destroy them without harming the healthy cells.”